Economic analysis of human capital?the abilities and skills a person brings to community and work force?suggests that investing in early childhood programs is much more cost-effective than dollars spent intervening later in life. Even with increasing knowledge of the importance of early intervention programs, there still appears to be a mental divide separating the prenatal and birth period and infancy. Programs that begin during infancy or later may not address the fundamental origins of the increasing issues we face regarding our children.

The science of early childhood development: Closing the gap betiveen what we know and what we do. (2007). Executive Summary. The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, Retrieved 10/24/08 from www.developingdiild.net/pubs/pubs.html